France
Population: 58 million
Size: 551, 100 sq. km
Official Language: French
Capital: Paris
Currency: Euro
France is the largest country in Europe after Russia
and Ukraine. The English Channel lies to the north-west
and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Spain broils across
the Pyrenees to the south, the Mediterranean (including
Corsica) is to the south-east and over the eastern Alps
and Jura ranges lie Switzerland and Italy. France’s
relatively flat north-eastern borders abut Germany,
Luxembourg and Belgium.
Human presence in what is now France dates from the Middle Palaeolithic Age, about 90,000 to 40,000 years ago. These first inhabitants were followed by the Stone Age Cro-Magnon people who appeared on the scene around 25,000 BC and were superseded some 16,000 years later by the Neolithic take on civilisation.
The concept of culture is of paramount importance in
France, a country whose people have all but cornered
the world market on urbane savoir faire. Their particular
take doesn’t always jibe with the rest of the world’s
tastes and ideas, but their devotion to their Frenchness
is never in doubt.
The French Alps include Mont Blanc, which at
4800m is Europe's highest peak.
The town of Chamonix lies in a valley surrounded by
the most spectacular scenery in the French Alps. Reminiscent
of the Himalayas, the area is dominated by deeply crevassed
glaciers and the cloud-diademed peak of Mont Blanc.
In late spring and summer, the glaciers and high-altitude
snow and ice serve as a backdrop for meadows and hillsides
carpeted with wildflowers, shrubbery and trees.
Not to be missed is the Aigulle du Midi, a lone spire
of rock stretching across glaciers, snow fields and
rocky crags from the summit of Mont Blanc. Easily accessible,
the views from the top are postcard perfect. A further
treat is a trans-glacial ride on the world’s highest
téléphérique (cable car), which
stops en route at skiing and hiking destinations. The
Mer de Glace is the second-largest glacier in the Alps.
It measures 14 km long, 1800m wide and is up to 400m
deep. For a better look at the glacier from the inside,
you can tour an ice cave that is carved anew each spring.
There is also a train that ascends to an altitude of
1915m.
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